Believing in Becca

Posted Thursday, January 28, 2010 by Sand Mountain Reporter

Published January 28, 2010

Becca Townsend’s contributions have helped the Albertville softball program attain a historic level of success, like a runner-up finish in the regional tournament and their first trip to the state tournament in 2009.

With her senior season on the horizon, Townsend saw her hard work and talents rewarded with a scholarship to Snead State Community College.

Townsend signed the scholarship during a Jan. 19 ceremony in the AHS library.

“I tried out at Gadsden State and Calhoun, and Calhoun wanted me to come back for another tryout, but then (Snead State) Coach (Lisa) Murray offered me,” Townsend said.

“I wanted to go to Snead more than anything.

“I’ve always wanted to play college ball, so I’m so very excited about being a Parson and playing at Snead.

“I want to work hard and be on the field.”

Townsend’s goal is to play well enough at Snead to transfer to a four-year school to complete her career.

Townsend, a varsity player since the seventh grade, has played first base, third base, left field, center field and right field for the Lady Aggies.

She will play third base this season.

“I used to love first base, but now I’m just working hard at third base because that’s where I want to play,” Townsend said.

Murray scouted Townsend at the Marshall County Tournament and the state tournament last season.

The Lady Parsons coach said Townsend did a “really great job” during a tryout at Snead.

“Becca can play both infield and outfield, and that is very useful at the college level,” Murray said.

“She is a very smart player, and I feel she will do a great job for us next year.

“I see her playing more in the outfield, but she will also see some infield as well.

“She was able to play on our fall team this past fall and did a really great job in the outfield, and we really look forward to her playing time with us next year.”

As a junior, Townsend batted .295 with seven doubles, one home run and 31 RBIs.

“Becca has been an integral part of the overall success of our program the last three years,” said Albertville head coach Paul Woodruff.

“She has played with some of the best softball players to ever come through Albertville, and now it’s her time to take the lead.

“She has played first base, third base and outfield for us over the past several years, so I would say her major strength would be her versatility. Also, her ability to play the short game … she is the best bunter we have.

“Becca will most likely play third base for us this year and bat somewhere in the middle of the order (three to five).

“I expect her to drive in a lot of runs and be the backbone of a young team. I also expect her power numbers to increase.”

Townsend praised Woodruff for helping her develop into a college-caliber player.

“He’s always on us, trying to make us work hard and be leaders,” she said.

Townsend and Haley Carnes will be Albertville’s only seniors for the 2010 season.

“We’re really young, but Coach Woodruff doesn’t want to have that as an excuse,” she said. “We’re still working really hard to maybe go to state again.

“We want to get on that big white bus again.”

The Lady Aggies took a chartered bus to Montgomery for the 2009 Class 5A State Tournament.

Playing in the state is an experience Townsend will never forget.

“It was the best opportunity ever. It was great,” she said.

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